An apparatus for use in components such as servo-valves, regulators and injectors for stabilizing system oscillations. The apparatus includes an armature having at least one groove formed on an exterior surface thereof; a sleeve, the armature being movably disposed in the sleeve; and a spring member disposed in the at least one groove in the armature and in sliding contact with the sleeve wherein the spring member exerts a radially outwardly directed spring force against the sleeve. A method of stabilizing an electromagnetically operated actuator comprises providing an armature having at least one groove formed on an exterior surface thereof; providing a sleeve wherein the armature is movably disposed in the sleeve; and disposing a spring member in the at least one groove in the armature and in sliding contact with the sleeve whereby the spring member exerts a radially outwardly directed spring force against the sleeve.
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17. A method of stabilizing an electromagnetically operated actuator, comprising:
providing a coil and an armature, the armature being disposed for movement in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction along the axis in the sleeve, the armature having at least one groove formed on an exterior surface thereof; moving the armature along the axis as a response to energization of the coil; and exerting a radially outwardly directed force against the sleeve by a single continuous member disposed in the at least one groove that is in direct sliding contact with the sleeve so as to slow the response of the movement of the armature along the axis when the electromagnetic coil is energized.
18. An apparatus, comprising:
an armature having a valve member extending away from the armature; a sleeve extending along an axis, the armature being disposed for movement in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction along the axis in the sleeve; an electromagnetic coil operative to cause movement of the armature along the axis as a response to energization of the electromagnetic coil; and a single continuous spring member in sliding contact with one of the armature and the sleeve, wherein the spring member creates a friction force between the sleeve and the armature that slows the response of the movement of the armature along the axis when the electromagnetic coil is energized.
1. An apparatus, comprising:
an armature having at least one groove formed on an exterior surface thereof, the armature including a valve portion extending away from the armature; a sleeve extending along an axis, the armature being disposed for movement in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction along the axis in the sleeve; an electromagnetic coil operative to cause movement of the armature along the longitudinal axis as a response to energization of the electromagnetic coil; a single continuous spring member disposed in the at least one groove in the armature and in direct sliding contact with the sleeve, wherein the spring member exerts a radially outwardly directed spring force against the sleeve that slows the response of the movement of the armature along the axis when the electromagnetic coil is energized.
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The invention relates in general to electromagnetically operated actuators for controlling fluid flow and in particular to varying the dynamic response of such actuators.
Various components such as servo-valves, pressure regulators and fuel injectors may be used in both open and closed loop dynamic control systems for controlling fluid flow. It may be necessary to change the response characteristic of such components to fine tune the component within the system or to alter the overall system characteristic.
Electromagnetically operated actuators for controlling fluid flow generally include an armature disposed in a sleeve and actuated by an electric coil. The actuators control the amount of fluid flow at different pressures and are designed to operate within a certain range. Various conditions, such as high pressure and temperature, may push the limits of the actuator's operating range. Conditions such as high pressure and temperature change the operating fluid viscosity dramatically. Such changes in fluid viscosity may force the actuator to become unstable and oscillate. Thus, a need exists for an actuator which remains stable under varying conditions of pressure and temperature.
The present invention provides an apparatus comprising an armature having at least one groove formed on an exterior surface thereof; a sleeve, the armature being movably disposed in the sleeve; and a spring member disposed in the at least one groove in the armature and in sliding contact with the sleeve wherein the spring member exerts a radially outwardly directed spring force against the sleeve.
Another aspect of the invention is a method of stabilizing an electromagnetically operated actuator comprising providing an armature having at least one groove formed on an exterior surface thereof; providing a sleeve wherein the armature is movably disposed in the sleeve; and disposing a spring member in the at least one groove in the armature and in sliding contact with the sleeve whereby the spring member exerts a radially outwardly directed spring force against the sleeve.
Yet another embodiment of the invention is an apparatus comprising a sleeve having at least one groove formed on an interior surface thereof; an armature, the armature being movably disposed in the sleeve; and a spring member disposed in the at least one groove in the sleeve and in sliding contact with the armature wherein the spring member exerts a friction force against the armature.
Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus comprising an armature having at least one radial opening formed therein; a sleeve, the armature being movably disposed in the sleeve; a spring disposed in the at least one radial opening in the armature; and a bearing member disposed on one end of the spring and in sliding contact with the sleeve wherein the bearing member exerts a radially outwardly directed force against the sleeve.
Further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawing.
The embodiments of the invention may be used in components such as servo-valves, regulators and injectors for stabilizing system oscillations. An exemplary application is to stabilize fuel system pressure oscillations, although the embodiments may be used in other applications as well.
The embodiments of the invention include an electromagnetically operated armature. The armature is movably disposed in a sleeve. An electric coil causes the armature to move in the sleeve. At least one groove is formed on an exterior surface of the armature. A spring member is disposed in the groove. The spring member is free to expand and make contact. with the sleeve while maintaining contact with the armature. Because it is a spring, the spring member exerts a radially outwardly directed spring force against the sleeve. The spring member, therefore, constantly exerts mechanical friction between the armature and the sleeve. The mechanical friction slows the response of the armature movement and extends the stable operating range of the component in which the armature is disposed.
Referring to
Preferably, the armature 20 is generally cylindrical in shape, although other shapes of the armature are possible. The groove 26 may be formed in the armature 20 by, for example, machining, or the armature 20 may be cast with the groove 26 formed during the casting process. The groove 26 is located on the armature 20 where it will not interfere with the magnetic path.
Preferably, the groove 26 is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the armature. The groove 26 extends at least partially around the circumference of the armature and may extend completely around the armature. Likewise, the spring member 28 may extend partially around the circumference of the armature or it may extend completely around the armature. The spring member 28 also reduces wear on the armature.
The sleeve 22 and spring member 28 may be made of, for example, metal, plastic or fiber-reinforced plastic. In one embodiment, the spring member 28 is made of piano wire. Whatever the material of construction, the spring member 28 functions as more than a mere seal or bearing surface between the armature 20 and the sleeve 22. The spring member 28 functions as an active spring by exerting a radially outwardly directed spring force against the sleeve 22. The armature 20 is made of a metal.
The amount of friction between the spring member 28 and the sleeve 22 may be varied by changing the diameter or the stiffness of the spring member 28. The amount of friction may also be changed by adding additional grooves 26 with spring members 28 disposed therein.
With reference again to
Referring to
The inside diameter of the spring member 70 forms a friction fit with the armature 64. The dynamic response of the armature 64 may be varied by using spring members 70 with different inside diameters. By changing the inside diameter of the spring member 70, the amount of friction force on the armature 64 changes. The amount of friction may also be changed by adding additional grooves 62 with spring members 70 disposed therein.
A hole 68 extends axially through the armature 64 so that fluid may flow through the armature from one side to the other. The hole 68 may be formed along the longitudinal axis of the armature or may be offset from the longitudinal axis.
Preferably, the armature 64 is generally cylindrical in shape, although other shapes of the armature are possible. The groove 62 is located on the sleeve 60 where it will not interfere with the magnetic path. Preferably, the groove 62 is concentric with the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The groove 62 extends at least partially around the circumference of the sleeve and may extend completely around the sleeve. Likewise, the spring member 70 may extend partially around the circumference of the sleeve or it may extend completely around the sleeve.
As shown in
The spring 86 forces the bearing members 88 radially outward against the sleeve thereby creating friction between the sleeve 90 and the bearing members 88. The amount of friction between the sleeve 90 and the bearing members 88 may be varied by changing the spring force of the spring 86. The friction force may also be changed by adding additional openings with springs and bearing members.
While the invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, numerous changes, alterations and modifications to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
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Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Oct 01 1999 | Siemens Automotive Corporation | (assignment on the face of the patent) | / | |||
Dec 01 1999 | ALYANAK, MEHMET ZEKI | Siemens Automotive Corporation | ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS | 010512 | /0366 |
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